R 241526Z JAN 11
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 002/11
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/1ST MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE MARINE CORPS, IT IS MY DISTINCT PLEASURE TO SALUTE THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR 70TH ANNIVERSARY.  SINCE ITS ACTIVATION ON 1 FEBRUARY 1941, THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION HAS CONSISTENTLY SERVED OUR NATION WITH FAITHFULNESS AND HONOR.
2.  FROM ICONIC BATTLES OF WORLD WAR II TO THE INFAMOUS BATTLE AT CHOSIN RESERVOIR AND THE MORE RECENT OPERATIONS STARLITE, HASTINGS, DESERT STORM AND PHANTOM FURY, THE SKILLED AND COURAGEOUS WARRIORS OF THE "OLD BREED" HAVE PREVAILED IN ANY CLIME AND PLACE.  IN KEEPING WITH YOUR STORIED PAST, YOUR CONTINUING CONTRIBUTION IN AFGHANISTAN IS WORTHY OF THE HIGHEST ACCOLADES.
3.  AS YOU CELEBRATE THIS ANNIVERSARY, TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THE BRAVE MARINES AND SAILORS WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE WHILE SERVING WITH THIS ILLUSTRIOUS UNIT.
4.  CONGRATULATIONS AND SEMPER FIDELIS.  JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//